Do you want a home that looks like it belongs in the pages of a magazine? Perhaps your desires are more modest, and you simply want a change in décor?
Either way, it’s a common misconception that giving your home an upgrade can run into thousands of dollars. Of course it can, but it doesn’t have to.
There are some simple hacks to make it look like your design makeover cost a whole lot more than it did. Wondering how? Read on for the best tips from interior designers.
Tricks of lights and mirrors
Adding a statement lighting feature is an easy way to make a room look more opulent. It’s easy to find glass chandeliers now that look like the real thing.
Pendant lights add a certain ambiance to a dining room or living room. If you’re feeling particularly arty, you could create your own from salvaged metal.
Alternatively, add a cylinder light shade to your existing light fitting. Choose a bold pattern and you’ll upgrade the space at a very low cost.
If you’re short on space, then there are ways to make a room look bigger. Mirrors completely change the feeling in a room once you hang them.
Creating a mirror wall to give the illusion that the room is bigger is a trick that designers use. Bargain department stores sell mirrors quite cheaply, so you can potentially change your living room or hallway overnight.
Freshen up the Walls
People’s first impressions are often formed by the condition of the walls in a home. If the paint has cracks or looks drab, it isn’t going to impress your friends.
Paint is one of the most inexpensive ways to give your home an upgrade. A fresh lick of paint gives it that just moved in effect.
Neutral colours are a go-to, such as taupe and the super-trendy greige. Neutral means without colour, though you may find that they may have slightly different hues. They are popular because they off-set other bolder colours well, so it gives you scope for statement pieces.
Another tip from interior designers is to wallpaper your ceiling for dramatic effect. It hides any imperfections on the ceiling and is unusual, so it will definitely create an impression.
As you only have one wall to cover, you can choose a more expensive wallpaper, thus adding more sheen.
Go minimalist
The minimalist look has been in style for some time now. It’s quite easy to achieve, but first you need to declutter.
Finding places to put everything is always a challenge, but there are plenty of smart storage options on the market. Look for furniture that doubles up as extra storage, so that you’re making the most of your space.
Invest in a new bed from the Divan Beds Centre and you’ll add plenty of bedroom storage. This utilises a space that is often ignored and you can even store bigger items in the base.
You can also get a coffee table with drawers, as a place to store books and cables.
Add Drapes
Floor to ceiling curtains really add a bit of luxury to a room. You don’t need to get them custom made, simply buy longer panels and trim them.
Get some big curtain rings to enhance the effect. Hanging your curtains from the ceiling draws the eyes upward so it makes the room look higher. It’s important that your ceiling is in good condition too, as people will subconsciously look up.
If you don’t want to block out the light, you can get sheer material for your curtains. Just ensure that the material is luxurious and not chintzy.
Making a few changes around the home doesn’t have to cost the earth. You can incorporate just one or some of these, and you’ll already add a layer of sophistication to your home.
Happy decorating.